Rhode Island Suits

The American Civil Liberties Union went to court Tuesday to force Rhode Island's secretary of state to put former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke's name on the Republican presidential primary ballot. ACLU officials acknowledged that they are at odds with Duke on many political issues. But attorney Michael DiBiase, who filed the suit in federal court, said, "Access to the ballot is a fundamental right." The threat of a similar lawsuit last week prompted Massachusetts Secretary of State Michael J.

In the latest courtroom assault on corporations selling legal but controversial products, Rhode Island's attorney general on Wednesday sued eight companies that used to manufacture lead paint, which was banned for residences in 1978 but continues to be a major health problem for children living in older buildings. The lawsuit is expected to be the first of many against the paint industry by state attorneys general, and Sen. Jack Reid (D-R.I.

Former Gov. Edward DiPrete pleaded guilty in a Providence, R.I., court to bribery, extortion and racketeering, admitting he accepted $250,000 in exchange for state contracts. DiPrete, 64, was sentenced to one year in a work-release program in a plea bargain with prosecutors. In exchange for dismissal of other charges, DiPrete and his son dropped a $1.2-million lawsuit against the state. The lawsuit alleged that state prosecutors improperly withheld evidence from them.

Former Gov. Edward DiPrete pleaded guilty in a Providence, R.I., court to bribery, extortion and racketeering, admitting he accepted $250,000 in exchange for state contracts. DiPrete, 64, was sentenced to one year in a work-release program in a plea bargain with prosecutors. In exchange for dismissal of other charges, DiPrete and his son dropped a $1.2-million lawsuit against the state. The lawsuit alleged that state prosecutors improperly withheld evidence from them.

In the latest courtroom assault on corporations selling legal but controversial products, Rhode Island's attorney general on Wednesday sued eight companies that used to manufacture lead paint, which was banned for residences in 1978 but continues to be a major health problem for children living in older buildings. The lawsuit is expected to be the first of many against the paint industry by state attorneys general, and Sen. Jack Reid (D-R.I.

The American Civil Liberties Union went to court Tuesday to force Rhode Island's secretary of state to put former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke's name on the Republican presidential primary ballot. ACLU officials acknowledged that they are at odds with Duke on many political issues. But attorney Michael DiBiase, who filed the suit in federal court, said, "Access to the ballot is a fundamental right." The threat of a similar lawsuit last week prompted Massachusetts Secretary of State Michael J.